In the end, there was nothing to be done. It turned out that little Christmas Eve had a large, cancerous, inoperable tumor in her abdomen that had already spread to her lymph nodes. On Friday, Susie and I spent some time with her, stroking her and talking to her, and then we took her to the vet, where very quickly and painlessly, as we stood there, she was put to sleep.
These past two days, when we return to our apartment, it seems barren and lonely. It is not a large apartment -- 1500 square feet, more or less -- but she was, at her best, only ten pounds, and she took up very little space. Indeed, truth to tell, we sometimes had to go searching for her to find where she had settled down -- under the bed, under a chest, in a closet, on a chair.
It is much too soon to think about getting another cat. She was found up a tree in Amherst, Massachusetts, on Christmas Eve, seventeen years ago [hence the name]. We offered to look after her for the weekend, and she never left.
I understand that it is odd for two mature, sophisticated adults to lavish so much emotion on a little black and brown long-haired cat, but there it is. We shall miss her greatly.
I'm so sorry. Poor cat. Poor you.
ReplyDelete(But it isn't odd at all: it's marvellous.)
I know the feeling of hugging a beloved cat as it is put to sleep. A second cat of mine, months ago and after 20 years of companionship, simply slipped away one night as he slept between us. Thanks to you, your wife, and all the terrific cat people out there.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Wolff --
ReplyDeleteFirst Murray, now Christmas Eve. I sympathize with your loss. Not much more to say other than the recognition that all of your lives were mutually enriched by their existence.
I know that it's odd for such a humble, superintelligent, godlike being to read blogs, but there it is.
ReplyDeleteProf. Wolff,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Christmas Eve. It must be very sad for you.
I find nothing odd whatsoever about mature adults lavishing attention on a pet. We have two cats, one American one Canadian, both now living in Dublin with us. Like Christmas Eve, both of our cats were found (one on Thanksgiving!) and their temporary stays turned permanent. Moving them from North America to Europe was more time consuming, frustrating, and expensive than moving ourselves and all of our belongings. I received endless comments from non-pet-owners during this process, who simply could not imagine why I would go through all this trouble rather than simply get two new cats in Ireland. Yet when I told my story to a pet owner, they understood immediately.
When you take in a pet, you tacitly adopt a world of responsibility. You commit your time, money, and affection. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Not at all odd. We, too, are both 78. We'd be just as devastated (fortunately, our own cat is only five).
ReplyDeleteI'm just seeing this now. I'm so sorry for the loss of Christmas Eve. My thoughts are with you both.
ReplyDelete